Model Train Talk South Africa

Scale or Brand Specific Model Train Talk => Marklin => Topic started by: capeklr on January 15, 2026, 01:28:28 PM

Title: BR 03 154
Post by: capeklr on January 15, 2026, 01:28:28 PM
Hi all,
I finally did it and got myself this very interesting kit to build a special locomotive.
Some info on the prototype, she was used and modified a few times to test various stream lining systems.
Lots of the experience gained from this loco was later used for the famous BR 05 which managed over 200 km/h.
There is a small company in Germany that has developed a etched brass kit to build this onto a traditional BR 03.
The kit was developed around the Fleischmann 03, but can be built on others as well.
I'm a member of a German model train forum and the development of this kit was shown there, from the start I was very keen.
With the help from a very good friend, I've got it now.
I found the appropriate Fleischmann loco on ebay, sent him the link and he bought it for me.
Then he ordered and paid for the kit from Adler-Modellbau and sent me the amount, which I then paid via pay-pal.
Don't ask how much it was.   O:-)
My sister was in Germany and they met and she kindly brought it along with her.
I'm super happy and very exited to build this.

The loco, which now needs to be dismantled and partially cut up.  :eek2:

Title: Re: BR 03 154
Post by: capeklr on January 15, 2026, 01:31:00 PM
The etched kit from Adler-Modellbau.
Title: Re: BR 03 154
Post by: capeklr on January 16, 2026, 08:28:40 AM
Here is a short youtube video of historic stills showing the two main differences
in the loco.
It was first tested with completely enclosed wheels and later the stream lining
around the wheels was cut back.

https://youtu.be/Hs0v6-JHlwE?si=tmRa4eNKWE1Ll-NO (https://youtu.be/Hs0v6-JHlwE?si=tmRa4eNKWE1Ll-NO)

I want to build the version with the cut back stream lining around the wheels.
Then I can also fit some wheels service lights.
Title: Re: BR 03 154
Post by: capeklr on January 16, 2026, 10:25:07 PM
Hi all,
with my fingers itching to get started on his kit I did just that.  :)
Here is the first part.
Title: Re: BR 03 154
Post by: capeklr on January 16, 2026, 10:29:27 PM
Next step is to do the walk way along the boiler.
Beautifully etched parts that need to be soldered from behind so it's very tricky
to get then straight.
One side done and soldered to the first part, or the frame.
Second photo I'm holding the side piece in position.
Title: Re: BR 03 154
Post by: capeklr on January 17, 2026, 08:28:44 PM
Hi all,
a bit more work has been done.
I've done the second walk way.
Then I started cutting up the Fleischmann loco.  :eek2:
I've cut away the plastic walk way and front buffer section.
Photo's show it loosely in position.
Title: Re: BR 03 154
Post by: capeklr on January 17, 2026, 08:32:41 PM
For fun I added the boiler and drivers cap.
Then I loosely held the side panel to it.
Title: Re: BR 03 154
Post by: capeklr on January 18, 2026, 01:01:43 PM
Hi all,
a bit more work and she looks like this.
Now to do the other side.


Title: Re: BR 03 154
Post by: BigEd on January 19, 2026, 10:23:08 AM
Well done so far! Was good to run into you on Saturday at the hoby shop.  :thumb:
Title: Re: BR 03 154
Post by: capeklr on January 21, 2026, 08:55:40 PM
Hi all,
after lots of careful soldering this is what she looks like now.
I did have a bit of a problem when I soldered on the right side, one of the previous solder joints came loose
and caused everything to go out of alignment.
Had to make a clamps, unsolder it and the line it up again and then resolder.
Tonight I fitted everything back together to check for fit and that the wheels still turn
smoothly.
Title: Re: BR 03 154
Post by: capeklr on January 31, 2026, 06:30:41 PM
Hi all,

some progress on this project as well.  :thumb:
Nose cone is on loosely, will be glued later once the light has been fitted.
The brass cover around the aero cone for the cab has also been fitted.
Not an easy build, but very enjoyable.
Title: Re: BR 03 154
Post by: capeklr on March 23, 2026, 02:23:21 PM
Hi all,

my parcel with some Weinert parts to complete this loco has finally arrived.  :thumb:
The ESU speaker in the top right is not for this project.
The Loksound decoder is.
Will update as the work progresses.
Title: Re: BR 03 154
Post by: capeklr on March 29, 2026, 05:20:47 PM
Hi all,

I've spent some time on this project during the week and today.
Today I've opened the kit for the tender. Beautiful white metal castings.
They fit very well, but are soft so bend easily. Have to be careful.
Photos show the loose parts and just stuck together without fixing yet.
Title: Re: BR 03 154
Post by: capeklr on April 03, 2026, 05:08:03 PM
Hi all,

time for a update.
This is becoming a very involved project to build.
The tender body kit is for a Roco BR 01 and I'm trying to make it fit to a Fleischmann BR 03.  ::)
I noticed that the sides are a bit higher at the bottom, exposing the frame.
Okay so I carefully lowered the body on the frame a bit, but then I realized that the buffer beam is to low.  :lamer:
So now I had to shim this up again and have now lined up the buffers.  :thumb:
Will have to add a little strip on the underside of the body to compensate.
First photo shows me holding the front of the loco to the rear of the tender to check for alignment.
Second photo different angle.

Title: Re: BR 03 154
Post by: capeklr on April 03, 2026, 05:09:54 PM
Last two photos I've connected the loco and tender the normal way to check this as well.
Title: Re: BR 03 154
Post by: capeklr on April 06, 2026, 11:10:22 AM
Hi all,

I hope that everybody is enjoying the long weekend and spending time with their trains.
I've done a bit more on this project.  :thumb:
Lots of research and looking for photos on the net.
When I ordered this kit I also got the kit for the tender extension, but unfortunately didn't download the build instructions
at the same time.
The company Adler Modellbau has closed down end of last year and the instructions are gone.  :( ::)
So I've started to build it, but I'm not sure about a few points.
A few photos that I could find show the loco with a tender matching the Weinert tender kit that I've got, so I've continued
with that for now.
Not complete yet, a few photos to give a impression. Also allows me to get a feel for it. So I placed her on the layout today.
The front of the loco also got a few detail parts added.
Title: Re: BR 03 154
Post by: capeklr on April 06, 2026, 11:28:11 AM
I've placed a few detail parts loosely into the back of the tender.
This kit comes with individual cast brass lanterns which can be fitted with tiny SMD Led's.
But because the lantern sit correctly on a bracket outside the tender body, see photo at the left of tender
just above the buffer I still need to figure out how to get the wires into the body. 
Title: Re: BR 03 154
Post by: capeklr on April 06, 2026, 11:30:20 AM
A few more photos in the station just for fun.
I think that the tender is a bit high overall.
What do you think?


Title: Re: BR 03 154
Post by: capeklr on April 14, 2026, 11:07:51 AM
Hi all,
slowly but surely there is progress on this project.
I've started filing some spots and gaps with filler and then sanded that smooth.
Now I've sprayed primer on these spots and then sanded again to check for imperfections.
Repeat and repeat again. Have to be very careful not to damage other details.
I've already managed to break off the steam whistle and loose it.  :rant: ::)
This is what she looks like now after this mornings primer coat.
Title: Re: BR 03 154
Post by: capeklr on April 14, 2026, 11:10:25 AM
I've made myself a few sanding sticks, ice cream sticks.
Different shapes and water paper grits, noted on the stick as well.